SHIRA by Tressie Lockwood

Description: Shira narrowly escapes an abusive relationship, only to find herself in the lair of much more dangerous, not to mention grumpy, predator — a leopard shifter named Max. But could this strange relationship eventually turn into love?

The Good: I respected Shira’s desire to get out of her abusive relationship, and cheered for her to do so. Also, I liked that she had an even better relationship with Max’s leopard than the hero himself.

The Bad: Great obstacles are set up, only to be somewhat clumsily surmounted. Max’s initial resistance to a relationship with Shira is overcome with an unexplained change of heart, and the final showdown with the main villain is a little too neat.